"Keith and Larson Families, I have known the Larson's for 62 years. You are my best friend and my heart is grieved for you. Our family bought a picnic table from the Larson's when I was 5 years old and that started a wonderful friendship. I remember at graduation in 1969 we had a great time at Harlan and Sandy's home, good food and good family time. Sharing in your memories, may they bring comfort and peace. Love Wally Holdredge"
In loving memory of
Harlan Richard Larson
June 20, 1933 - October 25, 2017
Harlan Richard Larson age, 84, of Ames, died Wednesday, October 25, 2017 in a truck accident on Interstate 35. A gathering of friends and family will be 4-6:00 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way Ames. A celebration of life memorial service, will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Oct 31, at Bethesda Lutheran Church 1517 Northwestern Ames. Burial will be at Roland Cemetery in Roland, Iowa.
Harlan was born on June 20, 1933 in Slater, Iowa the son of James and Theresa Ihle Larson. He attended school in the Slater area. Harlan joined the US Army in 1953 and discharged in 1955. He married Sande Miller and the couple later divorced but stayed friends through the years. Harlan and his brother Dave started Larson Brothers Trucking, he then went to work for H & F Construction, then managed McDonalds and after twenty years with McDonalds he opened Larson Sales and sold automobiles until 2001. At that time he went to work for Farm Service in Melbourne and retired from there in 2014. He then drove truck for Hickory Park Construction. Harlan was a former member of the Jaycees, Elks Club, Moose Lodge, and Sons of Norway. He was a member of American Legion and was on the Story County Honor Flight in 2015. Harlan always had a smile on his face, positive attitude, never new a stranger and always ready to lend a helping hand.
Harlan is survived by two daughters, Dianna Schoenmann of Boca Roton, FL, Denise (Tim) Meier, grandson Tyler Meier all of Collins, former wife, Sande Larson of Ames, brothers, Paul (Jane) Larson, Ronald (Marla) Larson, Harvey Larson, Wayne (Mary Jo) Larson all of Ames, Keith Larson of Ellsworth, and sister, Karen Mabie of CO. nieces and nephews.
Harlan was preceded in death by his parents, brother, David Larson, sisters, Joyce Pierce, and Janet Bixby.
Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Tributes
"Ron and Marla along with the rest of the Larson Family, So sorry to hear of the loss of your brother Ron! My condolences to your Family during this time of grief! May God bless you all with lots of good memories to offset the grief you are feeling right now! Love & Hugs! Vicki (Carlson) Zeimet"
"To Harlan Larson family, A terrible shock. A very difficult time in our lives, My sympathies to a great Norwegian Family. We all lost a great longtime friend. Ed Hendrickson"
"I Brian Niederjohn knew Harlan since I was 11 years old when my mom started working at Country Kitchen at the North Grand Mall in Ames 1976, In fact Harlan recently told me that he had dugout the basement for our house in 1971. And he always tells me about how great a lady my mom was as a waitress and a friend. Harlan has been working with me for extra help the past few years, I always enjoyed taking with him and a few months ago Harlan told me that McDonald's has the best strawberry shakes and Thursday night after work I went to McDonald's where my son was working on south Duff, I ordered a drink and some chicken nuggets and sat down, little later the girl behind the counter came to me with a strawberry shake and she asked if I would like to have it on the house and I thanked her then I took my first sip and it hit me of what Harlan told me, so I held my shake up and said thanks Harlan, here's to you my friend I will miss you very much! He was like an uncle to me. My sincere condolences to the family."
"So sorry to hear the news of Harlan's accident and passing. Our Thoughts and prayers from Arizona are with the family during th S difficult time. Lyle and Pam"
"Denise, sorry for the loss of your dad. I remember him always joking around and helping anyone if they needed help. He was a great guy!!"
"Dear Paul, Jane and Family, I was saddened to hear of the News of Harlan passing away. Although I never met him I will always remember Paul speaking fondly and often of Harlan. May he rest in Gods arms in eternity. "